Aside from his inventions and his wisdom, Leondaro da Vinci is one of the greatest artists of our time. So great that many art historians have branded him with the title of "the most technically gifted artist that ever walked the planet".

We believe that we all have our own style and competencies in the arts. Nevertheless, we'd still like to share with you some fun art exercises you can do to be one step closer to becoming more like da Vinci.

Draw moving objects

Set yourself up for a little challenge by drawing objects that move instead of static ones. Draw a moving car, your jumping pet cat or a flexing arm. The great da Vinci has this to say when it comes to drawing objects that move:

“Keep a sharp lookout, for figures in movement, in the streets, in the squares, in the countryside, and note down the main lines quickly: that is to say, putting an O for the head and straight or bent lines for the arms and the same for legs and trunk; then when you get home, look back at your sketches and give them finished form.”

Below is a video we found for some inspiration!

Learn and copy from a teacher

Of course, this is where the importance of attending art classes comes into the picture. Not only will you get the guidance you need to learn and perfect your art skills, having a teacher can keep you constantly motivated and inspired to improve. da Vinci was the assistant artist to Andrea Del Verrochio for more than a decade. By being his assistant, he learned to paint small sections of his teacher's sketches such as the sky and landscapes and from there worked his way up.

The paintings below entitled "The Baptism of Christ" and "Tobias and the Angel" are works that Verrochio and da Vinci made together.

For a fun exercise you can do on your own or with your buddies, choose any of these four da Vinci drawings and try copying it as much as you can down to the last detail. ​Copy them also in the same medium it was drawn, which for most of these choices is a pencil.

Draw subjects from your mind

When da Vinci created his hallmark artwork namely The Mona Lisa, he did not have a subject sitting in front of him as he painted. A great way to exercise your art skills (and be like da Vinci) is to draw and paint from your imagination or anything that fills your head. ​Fix things in your mind as you draw. Internalize your subject and visualize it on canvas with your hands.

​Here's da Vinci on drawing and painting from memory:

“When you want to know a thing you have studied in your memory proceed in this way: When you have drawn the same thing so many times that you think you know it by heart, test it by drawing it without the model; but have the model traced on flat thin glass and lay this on the drawing you have made without the model, and note carefully where the tracing does not coincide with your drawing, and where you find you have gone wrong; and bear in mind not to repeat the same mistakes. Then return to the model, and draw the part in which you were wrong again and again till you have it well in your mind.”

Draw and paint in the company of other people

It can get uncomfortable and awkward to show your artwork especially if it doesn't go according to your plan or you simply feel there is something lacking in what you created. da Vinci urges us to get away with the uneasy feelings and be bold enough to showcase to the world our creations.

​Remember that for you to grow as an artist, you must be comfortable with critiques from your peers and superiors. The quality of our work should weigh more than our egos. Be pragmatic and view all the criticisms you receive as opportunities to improve - just like the great and humble da Vinci.

​Have someone you trust - your mom, dad, brother, friend or teacher - to watch you as you draw or paint. Ask them to pick out areas of your process that you can improve on or problems they see that you will fix.

Draw draperies

​Did you know that da Vinci spent countless hours during his days as an apprentice drawing and painting drapery? This kind of art exercise teaches the value of patience, light values, structure, intensity, color, detail, and so much more.

​Drawing draperies can be challenging, and thus is a good exercise for you as you become better in the arts. Try doing this as an exercise one of these days - place a blanket, a curtain or a table cloth over a chair. Set up your light source and then draw. We found this video, which we hope you'll get to watch:

Draw and paint a subject from different angles

da Vinci loved drawing the human body. Much of his sketches are used in the medical field, thanks to the accuracy and precision of his drawings. Not only are his sketches commended for these two things, his works are noteworthy because he can draw a hand, a muscle or a foot beautifully in different angles.

​As a budding artist, you need to simplify, deconstruct, reinterpret and understand your subject. If you develop a personal connection with your subject, the better your finished drawings will be. Another benefit of drawing subjects at different angles is it makes you interpret light better. You must be a master of light if you want to be better in drawing and painting.

​We found this neat video on drawing the human eyes at different angles for a little inspiration:

Become a great artist at Art Smart

Here at Art Smart, we'll guide become the best artist you can be! Our strict 1 teacher: 2 student ratio ensures you the instruction, guidance and motivation you need to finish an artwork. Below is our art class schedule for 2017 for your reference.